Powered ratchet tool with wire guide insert

Abstract

A powered ratchet tool including a primary housing, a secondary housing coupled to the primary housing, and a motor supported within the secondary housing. The motor has an output shaft rotatable about a first axis. The powered ratchet tool further includes a ratchet mechanism supported by the secondary housing. The ratchet mechanism is operably coupled to the output shaft of the motor to be driven by the motor. Moreover, the powered ratchet tool includes an insert disposed within the secondary housing and configured to guide a plurality of wires through the secondary housing, and an output drive rotatably supported by the secondary housing. The output drive is operably coupled to the ratchet mechanism. The output drive is configured to be rotated about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and to receive a tool element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A powered ratchet tool comprising:
 a primary housing;   a secondary housing coupled to the primary housing;   a motor supported within the secondary housing, the motor including an output shaft rotatable about a first axis;   a ratchet mechanism supported by the secondary housing, the ratchet mechanism operably coupled to the output shaft of the motor to be driven by the motor;   an insert disposed within the secondary housing and configured to guide a plurality of wires through the secondary housing; and   an output drive rotatably supported by the secondary housing and operably coupled to the ratchet mechanism, the output drive configured to be rotated about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and to receive a tool element.   
     
     
         2 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 1 , wherein the insert defines a channel extending in a direction parallel to the first axis and configured to guide the plurality of wires through the secondary housing. 
     
     
         4 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 3 , wherein the secondary housing defines a window, and wherein the channel is exposed through the window. 
     
     
         5 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 3 , wherein the channel is a first channel and the plurality of wires is a first plurality of wires, and wherein the insert defines a second channel opposite the first channel and configured to guide a second plurality of wires through the secondary housing. 
     
     
         6 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 5 , wherein the secondary housing defines a first window and a second window, and wherein the first channel is exposed through the first window and the second channel is exposed through the second window. 
     
     
         7 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 1 , wherein the insert is formed of aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmission supported by the secondary housing and configured to operably couple the ratchet mechanism to the output shaft of the motor. 
     
     
         9 . A powered ratchet tool comprising:
 a housing including
 a handle housing, 
 a gear case at least partially received within the handle housing, and 
 a yoke housing at least partially received within the gear case; 
   a motor supported within the gear case; and   a ratchet mechanism supported within the yoke housing,   wherein the handle housing, the gear case, and the yoke housing are each made of different materials.   
     
     
         10 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 9 , wherein the handle housing is made of plastic, and wherein the gear case and the yoke housing are made of metal. 
     
     
         11 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 10 , wherein the gear case is made of aluminum and the yoke housing is made of steel. 
     
     
         12 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 9 , further comprising an insert disposed within the gear case and configured to guide a plurality of wires through the gear case. 
     
     
         13 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 12 , wherein the insert defines a channel configured to guide the plurality of wires. 
     
     
         14 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 9 , wherein the yoke housing has a tubular neck with a knurled texture. 
     
     
         15 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 9 , further comprising a transmission supported by the gear case and configured to operably couple the ratchet mechanism to the motor. 
     
     
         16 . A powered ratchet tool comprising:
 a housing including
 a handle housing, 
 a gear case at least partially received within the handle housing, and 
 a yoke housing at least partially received within the gear case; 
   a motor supported within the gear case; and   a ratchet mechanism supported within the yoke housing,   wherein the yoke housing is partially insert-molded into the gear case.   
     
     
         17 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 16 , wherein the yoke housing includes a bushing insert-molded into the gear case and a body pressed into the bushing. 
     
     
         18 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 17 , wherein the bushing has an outer surface with a knurled texture. 
     
     
         19 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 17 , wherein the bushing is made of steel. 
     
     
         20 . The powered ratchet tool of  claim 16 , further comprising an insert disposed within the gear case and configured to guide a plurality of wires through the gear case.